Dragoncrest Cliffs i was wondering if you could make me some of that righteous mac and cheese.

Returning to Drageda had not been a simple task for the young lion, and that was due only in part to the storm that had savaged the coast. Mostly, it had been due to his reluctance to part from his golden nymph. Artaax was thoroughly intoxicated by her, but his world was here on the Cliffs and hers was elsewhere. Maybe that would be different one day, but for now, he was home once again.

The feisripa crept down the rocks to beach below, taking care to place his steps wisely. The rocks were slick, but this was not unfamiliar to him. He'd spent his entire life on these cliffs and was capable of tackling them regardless of their state, and he was patient enough to take his time to ensure safe traverse. He relaxed once his paws landed on wet sand and gave his coat a good shake. He paused for a moment to sniff at the wind - still shifting powerfully across a still dark sky - before setting his sights East and picking up an easy pace in that direction.

Things are on the upswing, she feels. She prefers keeping to herself, when she can, but she’s found odd pleasure in the company of Aure and Rose every now and then. Dio and Blixen brings about too much business and while she knows they are meant to work, and she is always Heda, but there is little for her to do now. Until they’ve opened Blixen’s branch, they simply work and exist on a day to day basis.

She is already on the beach when Artaax makes his way down a narrow path. Not many could traverse across the terrain like those born here. Even though she’s lived here for a long time, she often uses the easy way around but the grace he has is not one to be challenged.

Her ears twitch upon her head and she redirects her lazy path with more purpose, closing the distance quickly between herself and her son.

Artaax had no solid plans for how he intended to spend his time. He was on autopilot, as he usually was as he went about his day. He would guard, he would mark, he would hunt, he would check for signs of trespassers or other interesting prey. His mind would empty into nothing as he worked, and that would be that until it was time to return home and rest again. He was in robot mode - a place the lion was perfectly content to spend his time in until fate arranged something to drag him out of it.

That day, it was nomi that pulled him from his empty-headed afternoon. No sooner had he begun forward down the beach than he spotted her approaching him. His tail wagged softly as he turned to meet her halfway, but that was his only greeting even as he reached her, altered his trajectory slightly, and made to stride down the beach alongside her.

Antumbra easily falls in line as they come together, making their way down the coast. She doesn’t have the fire she once had, cold and hardened in the center of her since Wildfire left. Not even the upset with the other pack has really made any lasting effects. She doesn’t have the attention these days to really spare and though they keep their defenses up, she wonders how long they’ll remain on edge.

“How do you feel about leading, one day?” she asks when her feet slows, turning to look at him. Blixen is being given her chance, at some point, but Artaax has always been the quiet soldier without making too many waves.

Artaax had never felt any discomfort in silence, whether it was with nomi or any other. It was unfortunate that most of the wolves he found in his company did not feel the same, but the feisripa usually had no consideration for how others felt, so all was good in his world. He liked walking in silence with others. He actually felt closer to his packmates when they weren't talking and reminding him of how unworthy they were to be Drageda.

Which is all to say, the commander's question was a very timely one. Artaax peered sidelong at her, a giant, cartoon-y question mark appearing over his head. "Leading what?" he asked, honestly not understanding. Artaax was a soldier, not a leader. He had never aspired to lead anyone. He didn't even like anyone, save for the few family members he had devoted himself to - which he could count on the toes of one paw (dewclaw not included).

They continued along the beach as she explained. Artaax listened and began slowly to consider things he never had before, never knowing that it would all come to naught as the very woman he stood beside now would soon rend his world into nothing, and things like leadership and rank would become utterly obsolete along with himself.